Title: A Time For Change
Author Name: DarkForest214
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: "Transforming Thoughts"
Summery: Sequel to "Transforming Thoughts." Follow Lily and James in their new relationship while keeping an eye on their mischievous friends Remus Lupin and Sirius Black.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters or Hogwarts School. I did not write this to try and make money. I am not stealing from JKR and the publishing companies and whatnot… I own nothing!
Author's Note: Sorry for the delay, here's the next chapter...Enjoy
Chapter Sixteen
Sirius nudged James in the ribs when they entered the common room. From where they stood they could see someone was asleep on the couch using the armrest as a pillow.
Cautiously the two approached, unsure of who it was. When they were finally able to see her face they let out a sigh of relief.
"I'll leave you to it, mate," said Sirius, clipping his hand on James' back. James gave him a look of thanks and knelt down before Lily's sleeping form. James gazed at her lovingly as Sirius's footsteps ascended the stairs, finally disappearing into the dorm, Wormtail in his pocket.
She looked so peaceful, the worry lines had left her face as she had entered dream land. Her lips were parted slightly, her cheeks were a rosy red colour from the heat of the fire, and her red hair framed her face charmingly. He couldn't resist, but she looked so perfect. He leaned forward and gently plated a kiss on her forehead.
Lily's eyes fluttered open and she looked around the room trying to gather her bearings. "James?" she asked tiredly, her eyesight fuzzy with sleep.
"Sorry to wake you, Lils," he said sincerely.
"No, it's all right," she yawned.
"You weren't waiting up for me were you?" he teased, unable to hide his grin.
"I was too worried to sleep," she said as she propped herself up on her elbow to get a better look at him. "James Potter what on earth happened to you?!" she said suddenly, sitting up and staring at his bloody robes.
James looked down and noticed the state of his robes for the first time. The whole front of his robe was covered in blood; his shirt clung to his chest with the dampness.
"I thought I told you t be careful and not to get hurt, Potter," she scolded, she tried to hide the fear in her voice but it managed to show itself anyways.
"It's not mine," James said quickly in his defense. "I must have soaked it up while helping Remus."
"It's not…that's not from R-Remus is it?" she said quietly, her face turning ghostly pale.
"What? Oh, no Lils," he said quickly. "Gosh, I'm sorry, I should have been more specific."
"Gee, ya think?" Lily snapped sarcastically, recovering from her initial shock.
"It's from the badger Moony killed," said James. "Remus was soaked in its blood. I mean some of it is probably his, but it's mostly from the badger…"
"Remus got hurt?" she asked softly, her voice full of concern.
James fought the twinge of jealousy brought on by her tone and nodded. "He always gets hurt in one way or another. The badger attacked him and clamped down on his snout," said James. "He'll have a lovely gash across his nose and chin, but Pomfrey will be able to heal it with little to no scarring. No problem."
The night's events finally seemed to take their toll on her because Lily soon felt and looked like she was going to be sick. The smell of blood and death reached her nose and she fought back a gagging cough. Glad everyone was safe but sickened by the blood, she excused herself from James presence without a good-night kiss.
She was repulsed by the sight of all that blood soaking his robes. And, she realized she was glad it wasn't his as she relived how scared she was when she woke up to find him covered in blood. Of course James would be a bit miffed by her sudden departure, but she would talk to him in the morning. He'd understand, hopefully…
Upon entering the girls dorm the sight and smell of blood continued to bombard her senses, so she decided to take a shower before trying to go back to sleep.
Disappointed that Lily had just left without even giving him a kiss good-night, James headed upstairs to go to bed. Sirius had passed out on his bed, on top of the covers and still in his bloody robes. Peter lay curled up in his own bed, snoring loudly.
Unable to crash into oblivion like his friends he stripped off his bloodstained robes and disappeared into the steamy stream of water from the shower.
He allowed his tension and worries wash down the drain with the blood. Closing his eyes and sticking his face directly in the stream of water, the image of Lily sleeping flooded his senses. The peaceful look on her face, the lingering smell of her perfume… And with her in his thoughts he drifted to sleep, standing on his feet.
A/N: Really, I am sorry about waiting so stinkin long...I haven't been able to get online at home for a while and the Macs at school suck and I wasn't able to get on a Dell...So...please don't hold it against me and R&R!